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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2016 17:23:37 GMT -5
I'm very interested in switching my 3 ferrets to a raw diet. However, after starting the soupie stage I've realized this is going to take a lot of time and patience as my ferrets are not even taking to the soup. I'm getting ready to go on vacation so I've decided to wait until I get back to try the raw diet again. I'm also going to sign up for the mentor program.
In the mean time, I was wondering if ANYONE could recommend the best kibble I can give my ferrets? Its very important to me that they are healthy and I want them to have the best life. I know kibble is not good for them, but I was hoping someone could recommend one that is at least better then Marshalls diet.
Any advice anyone can give me on the best thing to feed your ferret outside of the raw diet would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2016 17:28:31 GMT -5
Orijen cat kibble is pretty high quality and for kibble on the better side but I must warn you it can be pricey. I believe (not 100% sure) that GO Fit + Free is also pretty good as well.  |
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Post by Sherry on Oct 15, 2016 11:14:19 GMT -5
Orijen is definitely one of the better ones. You could also give freeze dried raw a shot. Several take to that. Technically you are supposed to give it rehydrated twice a day and leave it dry for nibbles otherwise.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 19:29:14 GMT -5
Thank you both!!!! For the freeze dried...what brand is that? Or where could I find it? Is freeze dried okay to mix with kibble? Thank you! |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 22:19:58 GMT -5
I just brought Shaman home so right now we're barely starting our raw transition. The dry food I'm feeding him is Solid Gold high protein cat food with chicken. It's 40% min protein, 18% min fat, 3% max fiber. First five are: chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, chickpeas. Shaman hasn't had any issues with the high fat content and the protein content is higher than most dry cat food. I've actually been feeding this kibble (and some other high protein grain free cat foods) to my 3 pound Pomeranian in addition to her raw diet. Since she is unreasonably tiny she has to have dry food available 24/7 in addition to raw meals. We had one hypoglycemic seizure when she was younger and on 100% raw, but she's done really well on this dry food combined with freeze dried raw and raw grinds. Cost is the only downside but luckily ferrets and tiny dogs don't eat much! |
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Post by msav on Oct 15, 2016 22:49:52 GMT -5
one thing to remember it may be just as hard to switch them to another kibble as it is to a raw diet.
thing to remember about feeding kibble to ferrets is that it will grind down a ferrets teeth, in as little as a year it can remove the points off their teeth making it a little more difficult to tear into meat.
Freeze dried does not cause premature teeth wear. But you will still have to brush their teeth a couple times a week.
Feeding Raw diet with edible bone will keep the teeth clean and only spot check brushing is needed.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 16, 2016 10:35:26 GMT -5
@shaman I would seriously consider changing that kibble. Pea protein is too high in that list (shouldn't be in the first five), and Pea protein has been linked with bladder stones.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2016 13:00:41 GMT -5
Can you recommend a freeze dried food? Also, how do you brush their teeth?
I really want to get them on raw, Its just very difficult and with leaving town I dont want to start something I cant finish.
I'm honestly starting to feel a little stressed out about it. 1 of my ferrets is only 5 months and she seems to eat anything I give her. Its my other 2 that are very picky.
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Post by caitmonster on Oct 16, 2016 19:41:36 GMT -5
Stella & Chewy's freeze dried for cats is fantastic and can be ordered thru Chewy.com, Casey's Hidden Pantry, or Amazon. Pure meat, organs, and bone, no carbs/grains/veggie ingredients other than a tiny percentage of ground pumpkin seed, plus it's balanced for complete nutrition, too (important thing to consider with commercial raw). Chewy does have several other brands available on its freeze dried raw for cats section, though few are as much of a straight meat content as S & C. YMMV, but when I brush my fuzzbutt's teeth, I use a cat toothbrush with a bit of coconut oil on it--I haven't come across a pet toothpaste that I feel comfortable using, between the sugar alcohols and soybean oils and so on. She likes the coconut oil enough that I can hold her myself while I do it. She hates being scruffed tho so I avoid it if at all possible, but if I need to get to her back teeth I'll scruff her very gently and do it quick. Save |
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Post by msav on Oct 17, 2016 7:10:32 GMT -5
Not trying to add to your stress or try and force you into feeding raw before your ready but, It will me much more difficult to switch them to raw later. The younger the ferret generally the easier they are to switch to raw.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 17, 2016 10:23:21 GMT -5
Stella and Cheweys is definitely one of the better for fdr. Stick to the feline version, or at least the 95% ones.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2016 15:35:20 GMT -5
Can I feed the freeze dried with the kibble?
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Post by raynebc on Oct 17, 2016 17:16:43 GMT -5
In the past, I did so. If they're both served together dry I don't think it carries the same risk as serving dry kibble with wet raw.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2016 22:05:47 GMT -5
You can feed kibble + FDR but make sure you feed it two hours apart. That's what I used to feed and my babies accidentally got bacterial overload because I didn't know  I used to feed Wysong Epigen 90 Digestive support + Nature's Variety Instinct raw rabbit bites and had pretty good luck as far as them liking it |
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Post by Sherry on Oct 18, 2016 9:09:11 GMT -5
You only need to worry about separating the two if the fdr is given wet. Dry it can be mixed
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